Brick machine



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H. C. SUMPF" BRICK MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet l. l

Filed Dec. 16, 1946 INVENTOR C. ,Sumpf mit mL ATTORNEYS E o OV Oct. 3, 1950 H, c. suMPF BRICK MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1946 INVENTOR BY aLl-L TML/ ATTORNEYS H. C. SUMPF BRICK MACHINE Oct. 3, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Deo. 16, 1946 INVENTOR. f6.6". Sumpf 3 N 8 4 v mv mw wv mw 6 .t WN 5., V m E m m m, W 2 M ,.z m wm T r. e O u H 6 nn k m h o A, S S mm n W C, v mw I 4 uw .vw Q mW WN a 1.... mm.

um Iv Wm. Nw vm F m um i qw P I E M H mm NwNm. N C w m -m\ Q K ,Y l Cm m H B w l L o QM 6 4 w O Wm.\ 6 1 mm. c L w www@ m l Patented Oct. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 15 Claims.

This invention relates to, and it is an object to provide, an improved machine for forming building bricks of the relatively large, sun-dried adobe type, which bricks are now composed of a clay-asphalt mixture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brick machine which is wheel supported and self-powered for outdoor use; the bricks, as formed, being discharged onto a sheet of common kraft paper fed from a roll thereof carried by the machine.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a brick machine which comprises an open main frame which is wheel-supported for movement along the ground, a secondary frame vertically adjustably suspended in the main frame, there'being a multiple pocket brick form in the secondary frame, and a hopper assembly movable along the secondary frame arranged'to ll said form with a brick mix.

It is also an object to incorporatain a brick machineas above, a novel power arrangement for vertically adjusting the secondary, mold-carrying frame, and effecting longitudinal motion lof the hopper assembly independently and selectively.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a brick machine which includes a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick form, a novel hopper assembly mounted for travel lengthwise of the machine to progressively ll the form with the mix; said hopper assembly having opposed troweling units thereon operative automatically and alternately to work and finish-level the mix in the form with, and dependent on the direction oi, said hopper assembly.

A further object of the invention is to produce a practical brick machine, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a persual of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the improved brick machine, with the secondary frame and mold in working position, and with the hopper assembly in use.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but shows the hopper assembly returned to its starting position, and the secondary frame raised, whereby to separate the mold from formed bricks which then rest on the ground.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan viewvof the machine, with the hopper assembly removed, showing the cable system employed to raise or lower the secondary frame.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation showing the hopper assembly in its starting position on the mix retaining platform.

Fig. 5 is a similar View, but shows the hopper assembly as it leaves the mix retaining platform and is in working or filling relation to the mold.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section of the hopper assembly, showing particularly one end of its carriage.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional plan on line l-'l of Fig. 6.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the improved brick machine comprises a horizontal main frame I' of open rectangular configuration, such frame having a forward extension 2 carrying an axle 3 including steering knuckle and spindle units 4, which units are fitted with pneumatic-tired wheels 5.

At its opposite end the main frame l is provided with a rearwardly projecting extension 6 supported by pneumatic-tired wheels l', driven from an engine enclosed within a hood 8. The rear extension 6 has a raised operators platform 9 thereon, which includes a seat I0, steering wheel H, and suitable controls.

The front wheels 5 Vare steered from the wheel l i as follows:

Below the platform 9 the steering shaft I 2 is fitted with a drum I3, and a pair of cables I4 lead in opposite directions from the drum l 3, and thence extend, about suitable direction-changing pulleys l5, to the front end of the machine, whence said cables i4 cross, and are connected to the steering knuckle units 5.

The open, rectangular main frame i embraces a secondary frame i5 likewise of rectangular configuration, but of a size such that it may be vertically adjusted within said main frame I. The secondary frame i6 is suspended, adjacent the corners thereof, by cables I?, which 'cables turn about direction-changing pulleys i8, and thence run forwardly about other direction-changing pulleys i9. The pair of cables I8 on the near side of the implement, as shown in Fig. 3, run directly from the pulleys S9 to the piston rod 2U of a transversely disposed, fluid-pressure actuated power cylinder 2i mounted on the main frame l1 at its forward end. The other pair of suspension cables l l turn about pulleys 22 to provide a correct directional lead, and thenrlikewise connect to the piston rod 20.

The power cylinder 2l is controlled by the operator, through the medium of a valve regulated fluid pressure supply system (not shown). As is evident, operation of the cylinder 2l to retract or project the piston rod 2B will effect upward or downward adjustment of the secondary frame I6.

The secondary frame i5 is forni-ed, adjacent its forward end, with a, horizontal mix-retaining platform 23, whose purpose will hereinafter be explained, and rearwardly of the platform 23 the secondary frame carries a plurality of intersecting vertical webs 24 which provide a multiple pocket form 25 for the shaping of bricks. The upper edges of the webs 2li all lie in a horizontal plane.

A carriage, indicated generally at 25, is mounted on the secondary frame for movement lengthwise thereof, and said carriage includes, on each side, longitudinally spaced pairs of upper and lower rollers 2i and 28, respectively, which run in engagement with longitudinal rails 2S? on the sides of said secondary frame.

The carriage 26 includes a pair of transverselyr engaging between the cross beams 3. The hopper@ 3| is supported by .transverse flanges 35 on the front and rear of the throatiSZ, with said iianges resting on resilient or cushion blocks .Sist disposed atop the cross beams 35. The cushion block mounting of the hopper, as above described, makes possible the use of a vibrator unit (not shown) in connection with said hopper, if desired.

The carriage 26, with the hopper 5l moi-interi thereon, is adapted for movement to and fro on l the secondary frame l5 from a starting j fiositionv directly over the mix-retaining platform and in which position the lower end of the throat 32 is disposed closely adjacent said platform.

The cariiage 26 and supported hopper Si are moved lengthwise along the secondary frame 'i8 by the following power actuated mechanism:

A pair of posts 35 upstand in adjacent but transversely spaced relation from the rear end portion of the secondary frame l5. and a cross shaft Sii is journaledbetween said posts some'v distance below their upper ends. A pair of uid pressure actuated power cylinders Si are mounted in side by side relation between the upper end portions of the post 35, and a downwardly looped chain 'e8 is connected at its upper ends-y to adjacent ends of the piston rods 3Q of said cylinders 31; one rod 35i being normally retracted, and the other normally projected or advanced. The loop of chain 38 runs in driving relation about a sprocket i5 on the shaft 55. The cylinders 31 are actuated, in such relation to each other, through the medium of a fluid pressure system, shown in part at 4|, to impart motion to the chain 38 in one direction o-r the other, whereby to correspondingly rotate the shaft 36. The iiuid pressure system lll includes a valve unit l2 accessible to the operator from the seat Iii.

On opposite sides of the posts 35, the shaft 35 is fitted with cable drums d5. Opposite end portions of a cable lil are connected to the carriage 25 on each side thereof; one reach of the cable running directly to the drum, while another reach runs forwardly about a direction-changing sheave 45, and thence returns to the drum in ,opposed relation to said one reach. It will be evident from this arrangement that upon rotation of the cross shaft 3G and the cable drums 43 in one direction or the other, the carriage 25 and supported hopper 3i will be moved along the secondary frame and over the brick form 25 in a corresponding direction.

The carriage 25, at opposite ends thereof, i. e. front and rear, includes a troweling skirt or apron Q5; such troweling aprons being formed of a strip :of flexible material, such as rubber belting, and

being secured to an adjacent wall of the throat 32 of the hopper 3l, as at 47. The troweling 'aprons i5 extend full width of the throat 32, and

Lefrom their securing point fil extend downwardly and thence bend laterally outwardly in the manner of a hinge, and extend some width therefrom. On top thereof the troweling aprons 46 include a stiffening strip llt, and upstanding rods 459 are pivoted in connection with the stiiening strips i8 adjacent outnhort of the ends thereof.

Above eachof the troweling aprons 45, the adjacent side of'the throat32 is fitted with a cross shaft 50 journaled for rotationabout a horizontal transverse axis; said cross shafts having lingers 5I projecting outwardly therefrom, and through which fingers the rods i9 extend. A nut 52 is adjustably threaded on the upper end of each rod 159 abovethe corresponding finger- 5I, while a compression spring 53 and sleeve 54 surround each rod 25 below the corresponding finger 5I.

It will be seen rthat upon rotation of the cross shafts 5i! in one direction, the fingers 5i will swing downwardly, bearing on the sleeve 513, loading the springs 53, and thus depressing the troweling aprons 56 for the purpose hereinafte" scribed. Conversely, rotation of the shal an opposite direction will cause the fing to bear against the nuts 52, whereby to positively swing the troweling aprons 45 to a raised position. The troweling aprons i6 are automatically raised and lowered, alternately, with the trailing apron lowered to working position, and the leading apron swungr to raised position with movement of the carriageZS back and forth along the secondary frame l5. This automatic raising and lowering of thetroweling aprons 6 is accomplished as follows:

The ends of the cable 4d do not directly connect to the carriage 25, but are secured, as at 53, in longitudinally spaced-apart relation to slides 5S mounted for reciprocating motion in guideways 51 on opposite sides of said carriage. Each slide 55 includes, adjacent the ends thereof, a pair of spaced, laterally inwardly projecting pins 58, said pins extending through slots 59. The pairs of pins 58 straddle radial levers Gil fixed on, and depending from, the end portions of corresponding cross vshafts 5B, whereby upon longitudinal movement ofthe slides 55 to cause radial swinging of the levers 6B and resultant rotation of the cross shafts 50.

Thus, when the cables Ml are actuated in a direction to pull the carriage rearwardly along the secondary frame I6, the slides 56 rst move in a corresponding direction in the guideways 51, causing swinging of the levers 50 and rotation of the shafts 5E) in a direction to raise the then leading troweling apron 45 and to depress the trailing one thereof, This positioning of the two troweling aprons automatically reverses when the carriage is made to travel forwardly on the secondary frame. As a result, the troweling aprons 46 are only lowered to working position when they are trai-ling relative to the direction of travel of the carriage,` and such result is accomplished automatically by means of the described control mechanism.

When the above described implement is in use the Ahopper 3|, initially disposed over the mix retaining platform 23, is lled with a mix, which may comprise clay with an asphalt binder; the mix being initially plastic, but of a consistency to readily maintain a form. The machine is fitted, at its forward end, with a hanger 5| for aV transversely extending roll 62 of common kraft, and before any bricks are formed the machine is driven forwardly so that a strip of paper 63 is. run off the roll 62 onto the ground directly below, and for the full length of, the form 25. Thereafter, the secondary frame is lowered by operation of the power cylinder 2| until the form rests directly on the strip of paper 63. With the parts thus disposed the hopper 3l is run slowly from the platform 23 rearwardly, whence the mix in said hopper 3| feeds into the pockets of the form 25, filling said pockets to provide a` plurality of bricks.

As the hopper 3| moves rearwardly the trailing, depressed troweling apron 46 initially works the mix firmly into the form 25. On the return or retracting motion of the hopper, the other troweling apron is depressed and finish levels the bricks in the form flush with the upper edges of the form webs 24. On either stroke of the hopper 3| the leading troweling apron, although in raised position, is inclined in a direction such that it is operative to smooth out and compact any excess mix into the form. The mix thus worked by a raised leading troweling apron cannot pile up on the latter by reason of the incline thereof upwardly in the direction of travel.

After the hopper 3| has made a complete traverse of the form 25, and filled the latter, said hopper 3| is returned to its starting position over the mix retaining platform 23. Then the secvondary frame B is raised to an elevated position,

as shown in Fig. 2; the formed bricks 64 remaining on the strip of paper 53 for drying in the sun. The paper absorbs part of the moisture from the bricks speeding even drying of the latter.

After each form load is discharged, as above, the machine moves forwardly a certain distance` unrolling a further length of paper from. the roll 62, whereupon an additional brick forming operation is carried out, in the manner above de-.

nected between the drum and carriage whereby to move the latter in one direction or the other, and power means operative to reversibly rotate the drum; said power means comprising a sprocket on the shaft, a chain engaged about the sprocket, a pair of fluid pressure actuatedpower cylinders mounted on the post assembly .and connected to corresponding ends of said chain, and a fluid pressure system arranged to actuate the cylinders in a manner to reversibly move said chain.

2. A brick machine comprising a frame, a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick mold in the frame, a carriage-supported m'ix feeding hopper mounted on the frame for movement therealong and from end to end thereof and to discharge the mix into the mold while the hopper is in m0- tion, means to propel the hopper back andpforth along said frame, troweling units secured on opposite sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending transversely of the direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a lowered working position and a raised position, and means operative to adjust the trailing troweling unit to working position and the other unit to raised position upon movement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof.

3. A brick machine comprising a frame, a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick mold in the frame, a carriage-supported mix feeding hopper mounted on the frame for movement therealong and from end to end thereof and to discharge the mix into the mold while the hopper is in motion, means to propel the hopper back and forth along said frame, troweling units secured on opposite sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending transversely of the direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a lowered working position and a raised position, and means operative to adjust the trailing troweling unit to working position and the other unit to raised position upon movement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof; said troweling unit adjusting means functioning automatically.

4. A brick machine comprising a frame, a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick mold in the frame,

' a carriage-supported mix feeding hopper mount- Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upo which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A brick machine comprising a frame7 a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick mold mounted in ed on the frame for movement therealong and fromV endto end thereof. and to discharge the mix into the mold while the hopper is in motion, means to propel the hopper back and forth along said frame, troweling units secured on opposite sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending transversely of the direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a lowered working position and a raised position, and means operative to adjust the trailing troweling unit to working position and the other unit to raised position upon movement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof; said troweling unit ing the hopper.

5. A brick machine comprising a frame, a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick mold in the frame, a carriage-supported mix feeding hopper mounted on the frame for movement therealong and from end to end'thereof and to vdischarge the mix into the mold while the hopper is in motion, means to propel the hopper back and'forth along said frame, troweling units secured on opposite sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending transversely of the direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a lowered tween said positions upon reverse rotation of said shafts, and means operative to rotate said shafts in directions to adjust the trailing troweling unit to working position and the other troweling unit vto vraised position upon movement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof.

6. A brick machine comprising a frame, a horiizontal, multiple-pocket, brick mold in the frame,

a carriage-supported mixfeeding hopper mountedon the frame for movement therealong and from end to end thereof and to discharge the mix into the mold While the hopper is in motion, means to propel the hopper back and forth along said frame, troweling units secured on opposite sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending transversely of the direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a lowered working position and a raised position, separate cross shafts journaled on the hopper in corresponding relation to'the'troweling units, connections betweenthe shafts and the corresponding troweling units arranged to adjust the same between said .positions upon reverse rotation of said shafts, and means'operative to rotate said shafts in directions to adjust the trailing troweling unit to working position and the other troweling unit to raised position uponmovement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof; said last named means' being'actuated by the reversible means for moving the hopper.

7. A brick'machine comprising aV frame, a horizontal, multiple pocket, brick mold in the frame, a carriage-supported mix feeding hopper mounted on the frame'for movement therealong and fromV end to end thereof and to discharge the mix into the mold while ltheY hopper is in motion, means to propel the hopper back and forth along said frame'g'troweling units secured on opposite .sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending thansversely ofthe direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a llowered `working position and a raised positionpseparate cross 'shafts ,journaled on the hopper in corresponding'relation to the troweling units, connections between the shafts and the corresponding j.

troweling units arranged to adjust the same between said positions upon reverse rotation of said shafts, and means operative to rotate said shafts in directions to adjust the trailing troweling units to working position and the other troweling unit to raised position upon movement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof; the means for reversibly moving the hopper including a reversibly power actuated cable extending parallel to said path, and said shaft rotating edk on the frame for movement therealong and vfrornend. to end thereof and to discharge the mix into the mold while the hopper is in motion, means to propel the hopper back and forth along said frame, troweling units secured on opposite sides of the carriage-supported hopper and extending transversely of the direction of movement thereof, said troweling units being separately vertically adjustable between a lowered working position and a raised position, separate cross shafts journaled on the hopper in corresponding relation to the troweling units, connections between the shafts and the corresponding Atroweling units arranged to adjust the same between said positions upon reverse rotation of said shafts, and means operative to rotate said shafts in directions to adjust the trailing troweling units to working position and the other troweling unit to raised position upon movement of the hopper in each direction of movement thereof; the means for reversibly moving the hopper including a reversibly power actuated cable extendinfy parallel to said path, and said shaft rotating means including a slide on the carriage mounted for limited longitudinal motion, the slide being interposed in the cable, spaced pairs of pins projecting laterally from the slide adjacent and in the direction of the shafts, and, radial ler-ers on the shafts and engaging between the pins of corresponding pairs whereby upon motion of the slide to cause said rotation of the shafts.

9. A brick machine comprising a main frame, a secondary frame carrying a horizontal, multiple-pocket brick mold, means mounting the secondary frame on the main frame for vertical adjustment, means operative to eifect vertical 4adjustment of the secondary frame, a carriagesupported mix feeding hopper mounted on the secondary frame for movement therealong and from end to end thereof, such hopper being effective to discharge the mix into the mold While the hopper is in motion, and means to pull the hopper back and forth along said secondary frame; there being pairs of wheels supporting the main frame adjacent opposite ends, one pair being steerably mounted and the other engine driven, an operators station adjacent said other pair of wheels, and means arranged to steer said one pair of wheels from said operators station.

10. A brick machine as in claim 8 in which each troweling unit includes a flexible member secured in connection with a corresponding side of the hopper and thence extending downwardly and bending outwardly; the bent portion of said member forming an integral hinge.

11. A brick making machine comprising a main frame, a secondary frame, means mounting the secondary frame on the main frame for vertical adjustment relative to the latter, means voperative to effect such vertical adjustment of the secondary frame, a multiple-pocketbrick mold supported in the secondary frame and movable vertically therewith, a carriage mounted on the secondary frame for movement along the same from end to end thereof, means to so move the carriage, a mix feeding hopper supported in the carriage and movable therewith, such hopper being effective to discharge the mix into the mold as the carriage is drawn along the secondary frame.

12. A brick making machine as in claim 11 in which the main frame is Wheel supported from the ground and the means for adjusting the secondary frame comprises cables mounted on the main frame, the secondary frame being suspended on the cables, and power means connected 9 with the cables and effective to operate such cables to raise and lower the secondary frame.

13. A brick making machine comprising a main frame of substantially open rectangular configuration, an extension on said frame projecting forwardly thereof, an extension on said frame projecting rearwardly thereof, Wheels journaled on each such extension and supporting the main frame above the ground, a secondary substantially rectangular frame of an overall size less than that of the main frame, cable means on the main frame, the secondary frame being suspended on said cable means below said main frame, means to operate the cable means to raise and lower the secondary frame, a multiple-pocket brick mold carried on the secondary frame, a carriage mounted on said secondary frame for movement along the same from end to end thereof, a mix feeding hopper supported in the carriage and movable therewith, such i;

hopper being effective to discharge the mix into the mold as the carriage is drawn along the secondary frame.

14. A brick making machine comprising the combination of a substantially horizontal main frame, wheels supporting the main frame above the ground, power means to propel the main frame over and along the ground, a substantially horizontal secondary frame, a vertically open brick mold supported in the secondary frame, means suspending the secondary frame from the main frame for vertical movement relative to the latter, means to lower and raise the secondary frame to carry the mold to a point immediately adjacent the ground or to a point elevated above the ground, a carriage carried on the secondary frame, means to move the carriage back and forth from end to end of the secondary frame, a mix feeding hopper mounted on the carriage and movable therewith and effective to discharge the mix into the mold during movement of the carriage.

15. A brick making machine as in claim 14, including a roll of paper suspended from the main frame adjacent one end thereof at a point adjacent the ground whereby paper may be spread from said roll along the ground surface when the secondary frame is in elevated position.

i HANS C. SUMPF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 747,443 LaughRay Dec. 22, 1903 1,728,928 Crowell Sept. 24, 1929 1,859,878 Lockwood May 24, 1932 1,891,764 Henderson Dec. 20, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 100,231 Germany of 1898 

